Revised state rules on fracking expected later this year

There was no signing ceremony when Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation in June allowing hydraulic fracturing in June.

Perhaps it was a sign of things to come.

Upwards of 30,000 comments have been filed with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the state agency charged with writing the regulations. The law once praised as the toughest in the nation has come in for blistering criticism from environmental and anti-fracking groups who argue the oil and gas industry has had too much influence over the rules-making process.

“We think (the rules are) coming sooner rather than later,” said Annette McMichael, a member of Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment — or SAFE — and one of the organizers of a Johnson County referendum on fracking on the Tuesday primary election ballot.

A statement from the DNR acknowledged the intense public interest in final rules.

“The important public feedback we have received is part of the process, and will help us refine and improve the draft rules before they are sent to lawmakers,” the statement said. “We are carefully reviewing all comments and will propose updated rules later this year.”